Good morning!
Today's writing, entitled "MANNA - WHAT IS IT?", is about how sometimes God's answers to our prayers are unclear to us. May we simply trust God in all of it, because He has the best answers to all our problems!
Blessings,
Jan and Corinne
Today's writing, entitled "MANNA - WHAT IS IT?", is about how sometimes God's answers to our prayers are unclear to us. May we simply trust God in all of it, because He has the best answers to all our problems!
Blessings,
Jan and Corinne
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Today's Devotional:
"MANNA - WHAT IS IT?"
by
Jan Andersen
When we experience stressful situations and ask God for relief, we often have in mind how we expect that help to look. Sometimes we wonder "What is God thinking?" for what we are going through and how it appears God is responding. We are told that all things work for good for those who love the Lord, so we may start asking Him, "What good can come from this?" or: “What is this? Where is the help you promised?"
When the Israelites escaped from Egypt in the great exodus, they weren’t very far into the 40 year desert journey before they started complaining to Moses of being hungry. So God sent them manna from heaven to eat. The meaning of the word "manna" is literally "what is it?”, because the people had never seen or eaten anything like it. It was like wafers that fell with the dew on the grass in the morning. It was to be collected for that day only, and any that was kept at the end of the day would turn rotten... except the evening before the Sabbath. That day they could collect enough for two days so they wouldn't have to work to collect it on the morning of the Sabbath. Then the Israelites tired of eating manna, the same thing over and over, every day, month after month... for 40 years! Wouldn't you? So they complained about God’s solution to their hunger and asked for meat. God was angry with them so He said He would send them so much meat that it would come out of their noses!
The answer that God sends us is sometimes unrecognizable. It may come and we may ask, "What is this?" We need to simply trust God, knowing that He has our best interests at heart and knows what He is doing! Let us be thankful for our "manna" help, even when we don't understand the answer or ultimate outcome God plans in certain situations. May we also remember that even the Savior was not recognized by many. God sent us the ultimate answer to all our sin problems in Jesus, the perfect manna from heaven, the bread of life!
John 6:48-50 NLT [Jesus said,] "Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die."
Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, the perfect manna from heaven, to pay for our sins and give us eternal life with you. Help us to trust in you to provide for all our needs, especially when we come to you for help in difficult situations. May we share with others the life-saving knowledge we have of the bread of life which you have provided so lovingly. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Song:
MANNA FROM HEAVEN
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Prayers are lifted up daily for
you by the Devotional Writers
and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
Blog Writers:
Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,
Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward, Karen Bennett,
Collette Phillips, Cathy Friberg, and Corinne Mustafa
Occasional Contributors:
Kathy Bireley, Lynda Kinnard, Mary M. Wilkins,
Terri Baker, Beverley Napier, Kelly Dobyns
Glenna Williamson, Shelly Keith, Amie Spruiell,
Lisabeth Lipp, and Nandita Bhatnagar
OH Jan this is so true. We think we know the ways God should answer our prayers, but many times He answers in ways we never would guess. Thank you again for another uplifting and thought-provoking lesson.
ReplyDeleteThanks Betty. To God be the glory!
DeleteI was just talking to my mother-in-law about God answering our prayers works best when we have a close relationship with Him. Especially when His answer is, "wait.." Knowing that He hears us and cares about our problems helps me every day.
ReplyDeleteManna????? What is it? Those people in the Exodus from Egypt were some pretty fussy and ungrateful people.They were hungry but did not like the manna much. They were lucky that Yahweh was a loving and patient God. Of course He lost some patience in the years they were wandering around. It is a good thing that God has always had plans for His children. I liked this writing, Jan!
ReplyDelete